A Comparison of The Top Packs For Elk Hunting in 2023

by John Wren

Elk hunting is an exciting and challenging sport, requiring a great deal of preparation and skill. One of the most important pieces of gear for the successful elk hunter is the right pack. It needs to be the right size and have the right features to make your hunt as comfortable and successful as possible. In this article, we will compare and contrast the features of some of the top backpacks for elk hunting. We’ll look at their capacity, features, comfort, durability, and cost to help you determine which pack is the best fit for you. With the right pack, you can make the most of your elk hunting experience and come home with the trophy you’ve been dreaming of.

Your pack must be up to snuff to make sure your trip is enjoyable and successful.

We’ve cut through the noise and boiled down what you need to look for in your pack to a couple of the most essential considerations:

Main Use/Function: Do you hunt elk during the day and return to a camp at night? You’ll likely need to opt for a lighter daypack since you’ll be carrying less meat in the end and you want to be as comfortable as possible.

Do you disappear into the backcountry for days at a time? You’ll certainly need a bigger, fully featured bivy pack. For a frame of reference, if you’re looking for versatile daypacks that can pull double duty on lightweight overnight jaunts, somewhere between 1,800 and 2,200 cubic inches will probably get the job done.

Fit: It may not seem important at first, but over the course of long trips, your back and shoulders will pay for an improper fit. Your hips should bear the brunt of the load, the chest strap should fasten right over your chest, and the belt should fit snugly around the lower part of your waistline.

Though there are other considerations to take into account, function and fit should trump all in your search for a pack. With that in mind, we’ll explore some of the best elk hunting packs of the last few years.

Bestseller No. 1
TR Hunting Backpack 3400cu, Waterproof Hunting Pack with Rifle Holder, Internal Frame, Rain Cover, Mossy oak Camo Hunting Daypack for Rifle Bow Gun
  • Ergonomic Design: TR hunting backpack has an internal frame, with soft and breathable padding which can greatly reduce the pressure on the back and shoulders. Adjustable shoulder and chest straps for...
  • Carrying System: Fixed snaps and drop-down Bow/Rifle Holder in this hunting daypack for carry of integrated bow or rifle. Side pockets and waist pockets give you more storage options. Compatible with...
  • Water-resistant Fabric and Rain Cover: Waterproof hunting backpack is a necessity when hunting in all weather. We use camouflaged water resistant fabric and a built-in rain cover
  • Multiple Pocket Organizations: Hunting Pack is perfect for keeping gear organized and easy to access. Our multi-pocket design helps you separate and organize your gear so you won't have to move...
  • TR Hunting Backpack weighs 6 pounds and measures 27.5 x 15.75 x 11.8 inches; total volume is 3400 cubic inches (55 liters); 10 pockets
Bestseller No. 2
GearOZ Elk Game Bags Hunting Meat Bag 5-Pack Reusable Rolled Heavy Duty Quarter Bags, Durable Big Game Bags for Elk/Caribou/Deer/Moose, 48" x4, 28" x1
  • 👍STORAGE MEAT IN CLEAN SPACE: Specifically designed for elk, caribou, deer, and other game, GearOZ game bags effectively shield your meat from dirt, debris, etc, ensuring its quality and freshness....
  • 🥇NO MORE WORRY OF SPOILAGE: designed with breathability, GearOZ game meat bags allows your harvested meat to cool down while retaining its moisture. This helps to minimize the risk of meat drying...
  • ⭐EASY TO FIND: The reflective strip enhances visibility in low light conditions. This feature makes it easier for you to locate your game bag even in the dark by simply using a flashlight. The...
  • 🤩WASHABLE & REUSABLE: crafted using high-quality, tightly knitted pure cotton fabric, GearOZ hunting game bags ensures durability and longevity, allowing the bags to withstand the rigors of hunting...
  • 🦌5-PACK: Including 4 pieces of 12*48-Inch bags, which are ideal for storing larger game meat such as elk, caribou, or deer. And 1 piece of 12*28-Inch bag specifically designed for storing livers or...
Bestseller No. 3
SPIKA Hunting Backpack Internal Frame for Men Waterproof Hunting Pack Camouflage with Rifle Holder Extendable 40L+ Capacity
  • Capacity:Extendable 40L+ storage capacity can carry the items needed for day trips and long-distance sports to a greater extent.
  • Materials:Durable 500D treated nylon body can prevent splashing and keep the backpack dry.ykk zippers.Industry leading duraflex hardware lightweight makes the bag more comfortable to use.
  • Internal design: Ykk zippers can quick access to main compartment,Multiple compartments which categorizes items of different categories.Backpack comes with front stash pocket,external water bladder...
  • External design:Roll top snow collar and Side pockets, Removable hood and Rain cover can effectively protect the exterior of the backpack,with rifle holder and walking pole and ice axe attachment.
  • Removable Frame:Internal frame can minimize the burden on the backpack,suitable for the outdoorsman that wants to go in light and come out heavy.
Bestseller No. 4
Gociean Game Bags Elk Hunting Meat Bags, 48inch 5-Pack Rolled Heavy Duty Quarter Bags, Reusable & Breathable Meat Game Bags with Reflective Strip for Elk, Caribou, Deer, Moose, Antelope, Duck
  • Highly Breathable & Durable: Gociean game bags are made of all-polyester, with a dense enough mesh to keep out mosquitoes, while also ensuring that the hunting meat bags are hard-wearing and durable....
  • Upgraded Closure Settings: Our heavy duty elk quarter bags add a drawstring setting at the closure, making it easier to pull and shrink the bag. The roll design also allows for more convenient storage...
  • Product Configuration Of The 5-Packs: The 5-Pack big hunting bag set has 4 quarter bags with 48inch, and an additional 1 parts bag with 28in to store some offal, bone-in meat, etc. Each hunting pack...
  • Machine Washable & Reusable: After use, the game meat bag can be put directly into the washing machine for cleaning. The sturdy material can meet repeated use and is extremely durable. Also we have...
  • Wide Range Of Applications: Our wild game bags are suitable for most hunting animals such as deer/caribou/elk/moose etc.
Bestseller No. 5
Eberlestock M5 RMEF Team Elk Pack V2 – All-Around Hunting Pack - Mountain
  • The Team Elk Pack is unlike any other backpack on the market. It has unique features like the patented rifle-back scabbard, a comfortable aluminum frame meant to carry heavy loads and a meat carrying...
  • The pack includes a spacious floating lid, deep side pockets, and stretch-material pockets throughout the exterior of the pack. On the interior of the pack you will find stretch pockets and a...
  • The Team Elk pack was originally developed to provide backcountry elk hunters with the best and most innovative hunting pack available, and to simultaneously contribute funding to the most proactive...
  • Technical Specs: 27”H x 13.5”W x 8.5”D, 6.5 lbs. Volume: Bag (2175 c.i.), Lid (392 c.i.)

Conclusion
You can’t go wrong with any of these hunting products.

Even if you don’t find your dream pack among the options here, hopefully, this article served as a jumping off point and an introduction (or a refresher) of some good sources for elk hunting season. We hope you found the perfect elk hunting pack and good luck on your elk hunt!

Elk hunting is amazing. But if you are looking for something less grandiose that you can enjoy with the kids, we’ve got a guide on quail hunting with kids. Take a look.

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1 comment

Luke Stephens December 19, 2018 - 12:09 pm

I just recently used many of these in my recent elk hunt in Montana. I love the frame fit of the Elberlestock packs but the weight of the empty pack makes for a day pack that is like carry a thru-hike long haul load. I am also not so sure the weight distribution would work well once you start loading elk sized quarters on it.

The Tenzing packs… Let me say all flash no delivery. Don’t like. Strictly for day hunting (no pack out) they are ok. Reality these days is that all elk hunts are going to result in some pack out.

I settle for now on Seek Outside packs. I have 2 frames (in their breakaway series) and 4 bags. For versatility I LOVE the Saker 7400. It is my 1 go-to pack. I can go from a 1200 – 7400 cu in pack in increments of 1200/2400/5300/7400. For one pack I can cover day jaunts to 5+ day trips. The pack is light. It is 4ish pounds empty. Seek Outside packs are already water resistant so you don’t have to take a rain fly. Another good one would be the Peregrine.

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